Chapter One

Karen's POV

I woke up with a slight headache, I slowly got off the bed. Yawning, I looked at the other side of the bed. Emily was already awake, she was obviously thinking, her hair was messy and it looked like she had a nightmare.

"Good morning." I greeted her with a smile.

She didn't seem to hear me. I yawned loudly again and covered my mouth, this time she looked at me with a smile. "Morning."

Emily was my best friend from high school and wanted to stay in my house before she could find an apartment, I agreed to it because her aunt had maltreated her for a very long time.

"How was your night?" I asked her pensively.

She stood up and walked to the door. "I'm fine, I'm sorry for sleeping in your room. I was just scared last night." She answered and walked out of my room.

I walked into the bathroom and splashed water on my face, I slowly turned on the shower and had a quick bath.

Coming out of the bathroom, I slumped down on the sofa. I needed a job, I couldn't just stay without getting a job, I was almost getting used to the insults from my friends.

I stood up and opened the wardrobe beside me, I brought out a short blue gown and wore it. I didn't even bother looking at my face in the mirror. I stepped out of my room and went straight to the parlor.

I was surprised to meet Emily chatting with Henry. I thought they were both enemies, Henry was my neighbor and we were close friends until Emily started living in my house.

"Good morning." He said when he saw me.

"Hi," I simply replied and frowned. "When did you guys become friends?" I asked, surprised.

He folded his hands and tutted in disbelief. "I was always friends with Emily." 

I blew out an exasperated sigh. "Great!" I replied and sat down on the sofa, they did the same and I tried to avoid his gaze.

"You don't have to be a sad bitch." Muttered Henry.

"I'm not sad." I defended, aghast.

"You should cheer up. I'm hosting a party this evening in my apartment, you should come." He advised.

"I love parties." My face brightened up as I smiled.

"Of course, you'd love parties," Emily said and let out a little sigh. "The party's going to be a bummer." She added.

"A bummer?" Henry asked, slightly offended. "It's going to be fun, there are going to be lots of rich men." He added giggling. 

"Rich men?" I asked and chuckled. "You didn't have to add that because you and I know that they won't attend your party." I replied.

He cleared his throat, obviously embarrassed. "I'm going to surprise you on that day." He answered and stood up. 

I grimaced. 

"I can't wait to see the surprise." I shot him an annoyed look as he walked towards the door.

"Are you going already?" Emily asked.

"I can't cope with her, I don't want to see you at my party again." He said through gritted teeth.

"I love money, I don't attend low budget parties." I replied genuinely and he walked outside angrily.

I blew out a long breath and relaxed on the sofa. "I can't believe that Henry's asking me to come to his party without proper invitation." I said and she laughed.

"I'll go to his party, I'm sure it's going to be fun, you should come." Emily replied and stood up. "I don't think it's a good idea to go to his party, he doesn't have a house of his own, he stays in a rented apartment like us." I reminded her.

"We're also staying in a rented apartment, remember?" 

"We're ladies, men should work hard not us," I answered and stood up. "I booked an apartment with my therapist, I'll be going over to his office."

She frowned and folded her hands. "You're going over to Mr Bill, I thought we agreed not to see that man?" She asked, a little fake sarcastic amusement drawn across her face.

A raspy breath scratched my throat. "I didn't say that, I still hang out with Bill. I love how he thinks, I would have wanted to marry him but he's already married." I answered, a little bit sluttering.

I walked into my bedroom and did a quick make-up. I picked up my phone and placed it in my bag, I yawned before walking out of the door.

Heading downstairs, I found her watching a horror movie. "Emily, I'm going already, take care of yourself." I said.

"I'm not your pet or your child." She reminded me and I frowned.

I narrowed my eyes at her. "You shouldn't be watching horror films alone, you might as well find a psycho killer in your home." 

"I won't, horror films are not real." 

"Aren't you going to eat before you go?" She asked.

"There's no food in the house except the leftover pancakes, I left them for you." I answered with a smile.

She smiled. "I'll be sure to pray for you." She replied with sarcasm in her voice.

Picking up my bag, I headed for the door, I took a glance at her before walking out of the door. "Where are you going?" Henry asked as soon as I saw him washing his car.

"I'm going to my therapist office." I answered.

He continued to stare at me, watching me through his beautiful eyes. "I'm also going somewhere, I can take you there." He suggested. The light smile playing on my lips faded immediately, a smirk played in my lips as I stroked my chin.

"You're washing your car." I told him with a smirk.

"It's best if I drive you." He urged quietly. 

I blinked. "I don't want to spoil my chances of getting a billionaire husband." I replied and walked out of the gate.

***********

I heard a man's low, husky voice as I stepped through the arched front door of the building in the Dallastown area.

It was Mr Bill, my handsome therapist. He seemed to smile when he saw me. "Call me back, I'm with a client." He told whoever he spoke to on the phone as he saw me.

Spoken like a true workaholic, I thought as I walked into his office.

"Miss Karen, I'm surprised to meet you, I didn't know you'd be coming." He said and I smiled.

"I always come when I need money, you seem to have the inspiration I need, we both love money and you know that." I replied and we chuckled.

"Have a seat." He offered as I pulled a chair and sat down. For a moment, the only thing we could do was to stare at each other. I had a crush on Bill since high school before he got married and became a therapist.

He was my senior in high school who always stood by me and protected me against bullies. "You remember Laura?" He asked, breaking the silence. I nodded. 

How could I forget Laura? Someone who made my life miserable in high school.

"She got married during the weekend." He added and I smiled.

"Really, I feel everyone's getting married but yet, I'm not still married to a man of my choice." I told him trying to stop myself from crying.

He reached out and ruffled my hair. "I have a contract for you." He muttered